Rotary motor.



PatenfedlunelZ, |900.

P. T. PERKINS.

RUTARY MOTOR.

(Application tiled Nov. 6, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet i.

(No Model.)

.w a YW WTlVESSES.-

\ N0.'5|,ao9. Patentedlune 2, |900. P. T. PERKINS.

ROTARY MOTOR.

(Application led Nov. 6, 1899.)

(No Model.) 3 Shets-Sheet 2.

2 wg j?? m: imams versus no. PNorcpu-mo., WASHINGTON. n. c.

NITEI) STATI-Is PATENT OFFICE.

PARDoN 'r. PERKINS, or oswneo, NEW YORK, AssIeNoR orTwofTHiRDs To WILLIAM PIERsoN JIIDsoN AND JAMES F.JoI-1NsoN, oF sAME PLACE.

ROTARY MOTOR.

'SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. e5,1,so9, dated June 12, 1900.Y

Application filed November 6, 1899. Serial No. 735,912. (No model.) i

To @ZZ whom, t may concern.:

Be it known that Lv-PARDON 'F..PERKINs of Oswego, in the county of Oswego, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements'in Rotary Motors, of which the following, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a rotary mot-or or engine of a strong and simple construction, consisting, essentially, of a cylinder, a piston having a cylindrical body arranged eccentrically between two integral heads, so as t0 be constantly in contact with the cylinder along one edge Without the addition of abutments, movable heads, wings, dac., and of a valve connected to the piston reci procated or rocked in unison therewith, so as to admit and cut od the steam at proper times.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

Figure I is a front elevation of my engine; Fig. II, a corresponding vertical cross-section; Fig. III, a side elevation, partly in section; Fig. IV, a top plan View with the reversinglever and some attached parts removed; Figs. V and VI, respectively, longitudinal and cross sections of the piston; Figs. VII and VIII, respectively, longitudinal and cross sections of the valve; Fig. IX, an elevation of a portion of the end of the piston; Fig. X, across-section of the peculiar journal-bearing, and Fig. XI is an elevation of a' throttle-plug detached.

In the figures, 1 indicates the main casing or shell, provided with a suitable base 2 and formed with the cylinder 3, valve-chamber 4, and throttle-chambers 5 5, all with their axes parallel.

6 is the steam-pi pe through which the steam passes by one or the other channel 7 7 and port 8 8 and steam-inlet 9 9 to the cylinder, l0 l0 being the exhaust-ports, connected through throttle or exhaust chambers 5 5 to the exhaust-channels 11 11, arranged adjacent to the cylinder and 4counteracting the radiation of heat therefrom. Concentricallyin the cylinder is arranged the shaft 15, carrying the piston composed of the circular heads 16, of

suitable thickness, fitting the cylinder steamtight, and ofa smaller cylindrical body17, in

. indersteam-tight and may, if desired,^be provided With a metallic packing-strip 19 to insure a tight joint. The packing-strip may be fitted to a groove 2O along this high point and bent to tit grooves 21 21, continued around the ends, one end of the packing-strip being solid and the other loose and slightly springy, so

as to lit tight against the end of the cylinder. This packing-strip tits 1 freely but snugly in the grooves, so that when it is worn slightly it will be forced outwardly by centrifugal force or steam, still maintaining a tight t. In one end 18 of this packing-strip may be formed a groove 19, to which is fitted snugly a separate piece 22, having a slight clearance at'24, so that the steam will enter and force it out against the cylinder, making the joint tight and compensating for` wear.

In the valve-chamber 5, opening along one side into the cylinder, is arranged concentrically the shaft 25, on which is fixed the valve 29, connected by exterior mechanism, to be described, to the piston, so that it is reciprocated or rocked continuouslyin harmony with the rotation thereof to open and close the steam-inlet and the exhaust at the proper times. It will be seen that the lower edge of the valve is formed in the arc of a circle slightly smaller than that of the cylinder, so that the central portion of this lower edge is arranged slightly above the circle of the cylinder, while the valve -edges or wings 28 2S extend one orthe other intothe cylinder, one being constantly in contact with thebody of the piston, it being understood that the valve is exactly equal in length to said body, fitting snugly the body and between the heads of the piston. The steam-inlets formed in the valve are provided with enlarged mouths 26 26 to register. and connect with the inner IOO ends of the portsS 8 as the positionV of the Valve varies.

To the throttle-chambers 5 5, preferably f tapering to insure a tight tit, are fitted tapering plugs 31 3l, grooved on opposite sides, thesmaller` grooves 32` being adapted to coned to connect an exhaust-port l0 with its exhaust-channel 1 l.

will be understood that the term throttle correctly expresses` the` function of one of them only at a time, for while the steam is .passing in through the throttle-chamberand groove in the plug on one side it is exhaustingthroughthe -corresponding chamber and;

larger groove of the plug on the opposite side, whichV latter then operates asan exhaustchamher and an exhaust-plug. Each plugis formed with an outwardly-extending shaft 34, havinga square tip 35, and is held in position by screw-cap 36 and head 37, bolted in i position over the main head or face-plate38` of the engine.

Referring now tothe external mechanism foroperating the valve from the piston and for reversing, on shaftA l5', 'extending outwardly through main head 38, issecured the eccentric 40, correspondingin position to the eccentric body of the piston and rotating freelyi'n the collar 42, preferably made in two pieces and bolted snugly around it, 4I being-the counterbalance. y

v44 is the reversing-lever, integral with or ,attached to ls'a-id collar, on which is secured thegrooved piece 45,k provided with grooves 456' for making connection with-the valve by meafns'of arm 49, secured on shaft-'25, to eachA 'Ilo-the square tips 35 of the throttle-plug shafts-vare fitted corresponding arms-,56 56, conneetedfby bar 57, so that they maybe forcedto the right or left, reversing the positien-ofthe plugs simultaneously.

Illiave-devisedfa peculiar journal-bearing fortliemain-shaft, asbest shown in Figs. III and-X.' The portion 6l of the shaft in the bearing-'ishslightly taperedand' to it is fitted thebrass 4packing or bushing GO, formed with notchesv 63i 63` onits outer periphery, Withy which'fengages theset-screw'et tohold the packing inY position. By this construction the setscrew may be loosened and the pack- :ter in position. nectLthe, channel 7to the steam-port 8whil`e the larger groove on theopposite side is ad'apt- While I have called-these tion. throttle-chamber and throttle-plug, itv

These pins are preferably made ecing turned more or less'.- to compensate for Wear.

65 is a loose ring fitting the shoulders of the bearing, and 66 screws engaging therewith and with the bushing to retain the lat- 67,67"are oil-channels.V

My construction is so simple th'atitsoperation will be clear with little further explana- In the position shown in the figures, particularly in Fig. I, the rotation is in the direction indicated by the arrow, the steam enteringthrough the steam-channel 7, throttle-chamber 5, groove 32, steam-port 8, and

steam-inlet 9 on the left, while the exhaustis through the port 10, groove 33, and channel llfon the right,rthe valvel being` moved through the outside connection without-1 any sudden shock in harmony with therotation of the piston to adjust the various inlet and outlet channels, dac. for the constantly-varying position of the piston.

In the position best shown in Fig. II, A

vindicates the high point', the valve having yjust'begunto open to admit thel steam, the y exhaust-ports being so arrangedthat theeX- haust opens immediately before the steam- `inlet and remains-open shortly after, so-that the cylinder or steam-spacebehind the high point is constantly free and clear, the exhaust not closing until' the high pointv has reached about the point'` D: It will be seen that the steam-inlet does not-openuntil the center or high point liasbeen passed', thus avoiding steam-pressure and consequent unnecessary friction thereby on the piston.

This is known as negative lead. Therefore-when the -inletbegins to open, the high point or the center having passed, the'full pressure of the steam.isdirected'against that and the curved surface of the cylinder to operatethe engine, while the Wing 28', (asV here shownon the left,)v in contact wit-hthebody ofthe piston,prevents back pressure thereon. As-the piston approaches the point B the valve movesto open the steam-inlet wide,

[giving the full pressure ofV the steam, which may continue until the high point reaches C, thus getting the -fnllpressure through along stroke, more than three-quarters of the en- IOO IIO

tire circumference, or the steamv can be cut off at rany point and: drive theengine by expansion.

I have specified that the exhaust does-not close until the high point has passed the port, thus insuring a perfect exhaust.v The engine may be easily reversed by gripping the springlever to unlock the valve-pins and throwing thereversing-lever to one side, reversing the position of the piston, While at the same time the plug-arms are forced to the other side,

reversing their position.

The important advantages-of `myen gine are simplicity of construction, the absence of abutments or offwings, stops, cutoffs, or gates operated by springs or otherwise, whichare subject to Wear, fracture, or disarran gement.

i new the valve.

My piston operates with one edge--that is, the high point-in contact with the cylinder, the metal packing being introduced to take up the wear. 70 arel packing-strips introduced for a similar purpose, saving wear on the casing, it being easier and cheaper to re- All parts of the engine are arranged to work smoothly in unison without `any sudden trip or movement of any part,

with a consequent dangerous shock when the v engine is running rapidly. Finally, my engine is cheap to construct, small and compact, standing low, having substantially no vibration, and very convenient for direct connection as to dynamos, dac. It is especially adaptedfor use with steam, but may be operated by other power, compressed air, water, tre.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is- Y I1. In a rotary engine, the combination of the shell or casing, formed integrally with a cylinder, a valve chamber, throttle or exhaust chambers on each side, of a piston having circular heads iitting the cylinder and an integral body arranged eccentrically between said heads, so that one continuous edge of said body and heads makes contactwith the inner surface of the cylinder along a line parallel to the axis, a valve arranged in said valve-chamber having its parallel lower edges on each side arranged so that one edge always extends into the cylinder, and exterior connections between the piston and the valve to rock the valve and maintain one of its lower edges o1" wings in'contact with the body of the piston, inlets and steam-outlets, and throttle-plugs fitted to said throttle-chambers grooved to open the inlet on one side and the exhaust on the other, as the plugs are turned in one direction or the other.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination of the shell or casin g, formed integrally with the cylinder-chamber, valve-chamber, throttle or exhaust chambers on each side, inlets to said throttle-chambers, steam-ports therefrom to the valve-chamber, exhaust-ports therefrom to the valve-chamber and exhaust-channels; of a piston having circular heads fitting the cylinder, and a smaller cylindrical body arranged eccentrically between said heads and integral therewith, so that the continuous edge of said body and said heads makes contact with the inner surface of the cylinder along one line parallel to the axis; of a valve arranged in said valve-chamber having its parallel lower edges on each side arranged so that one edge extends into the cylinder,

and exterior connections between the piston andthe valve to rock the valve and maintain one of its lower edges or wings in constant contact with the body of the piston, steam inlets and outlets, and throttle-plugs fitted to said throttle-chambers, grooved to open the steam-inlet on one side and the exhaust on the other as the plugs are turned in one direction or thejother.`

tact with the inner surface of the cylinder along one line parallel to the axis; a valve fitted to the valve-chamber and having a reentrant lower surface, of equal length to the body of the piston, said valve having parallel lower edges or wings for making contact with the piston, and being formed lwith steam-in-l lets for the admission of steam to the cylinder on one side or the other as the piston re volves in the corresponding direction; and of exterior connections between the piston and the Valve to rock the valve and maintain one of its lower edges or wings in constant contact with the body of the piston; of throttleplugs fitted to said throttle-chambers, grooved to open the steam-inlet on one side and the exhaust on the other as the plugs are turned in one direction or the other, substantially as described and shown. t

4:. In a rotary engine, the combination of the shell or casing formed with the main cylinder or piston chamber, a substantially-cylindrical valve-chamber having its lower surface cut away to connect with the pistonchamber, throttle-chambers on each side, the axes of all of said chambers being horizontal and parallel, with steam-inlet channels, and exhaust-channels leading respectively t'o and from the throttle-chambers, and steam-inlet ports and exhaust-ports connecting said chambers with the valve-chamber; of a piston having circular heads fitting the cylinder snugly at each end and an integral cylindrical piston-body of smaller diameter than said heads and arranged eccentrically therewith, a high point along said body and the edge of said heads in constant close contact with the cylinder-surface; of a valve' fitted to said valve-chamber equal in length to the body of said piston and having a rentrantlycurved lower edge with downwardly-extending wings on each side thereof, adapted to make contact with said piston one at a time as the piston is rotated in one direction or the other, said valve being formed with steaminlets in its sides adjacent to said wings; of plugs fitted to said throttle chambers and having grooves for the admission of the steam and for the exhaust, and exterior connections between the piston andthe valve to rock the valve as the piston is rotated.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination of the main Casin g formed integrally with a main IIo cylinder on piston chamber, with; a: shorter substantiallycylindrical 'f valve chamber ar 'v rangedzthereabove andrconnectedf therewith-l along its'` lowerV surface,-4 withk throttleplugchambers on: each. sideabout opposite they junction ofI said: chambers, the axes; off all. of

said chambers being horizontal and;parallel4 chambers, steam-ports therefrom tosaidA valve=chamber, exhaust-portstherefromalso` to saidvalve-cha'mber,eXhaustLchannels from:

saidthrottle-chambers adjacent to said'cylin der; and. communicating with` exterioropemv ings;r of; thevpiston, substantially equaliin length to said cylinder, having circular heads,

' andlanintegral cylindrical body substantially 4 with steam-inlets for admittingl the steamequalinlength to said valve-chamber,said. bodyy being of smaller diameter than said heads and: arranged eccentrically therewith so' that the continuous highrpoint""of'said body. and heads-makes continuous close contact with thesurface of the cylinder; of" a valve substantially equal in lengthtonsaid body Iittedto said valvechamber and having" parallel-wings' on its lower edges adaptedone' ati. aitime toiit snugly againstl the body-of' said pistonbetween said heads, andlformed from-thechannels-in the casing. to thefcylinder;v ot'v plugsfitted to said throttle or eir-r haust chambers and havingrsmaller grooves on one sidejforjthe admission of V the steanr and larger grooves onihe oppositelortheex-A haust, andexterior connections betweenthe pistonA and.v the valve to rock thevalveand maintainone* of its lower'edges or` wings in` constant contact with the body offthe pistonr betweenthe heads.

v6. In a rotary engine the main'shelliorlca's-I- lower side',tapering throttle-plug;chambers' or exhaust-chamberson each: side adjacent tothe junction of said cylinder'and valve` l chamber, the axesof'all of' said chambers being horizontal and'parallel with thesteaminlet` openingsI above', and steam-.channels therefrom to saidv throttle-chambers, with Vsteam-ports from said throttle-chambers toV saidlvalve-chamber, with exhaust-ports from said'valve-chamber to said throttle-chamber, and: withl exhaust-channels extending down'- Wardlyfroin said throttle-chambers along-the outer surface of the cylinder: to exhaustopenings, substantially'. as describedl and shown.v

7. In ai rotaryengine, the combi'nationfof the main casing., formed integrally with the cylinder, a l valve chamber, throttle plug chambers onieach side, steam inlets andiout lets', .of arpiston itted to said cylinder, asliaft therein'Y having; a tapering portion arranged in the journal-bearing; at therear-,ofrthe'cas2' ing,.asofter. metallic packing fitted to said tapering portion insaid journallbeari'ngand i estese formed with .notcheswoni its periphery, and a setz-screw to' engagefwith: one lof said notches to'hold the;packing,or bushingzin position, and?rncanstoretain` saidfbushirig/against'l end movement. Y

' 8.. In a rotary engine,thel combination of. v the shell=orcasing5 formed integrallyfwiththe with steamfinlet channels to saidY throttlei main cylinder below, with a substantially-cy;

lindrical valve-chamber above the cylinder and open" thereinto'on its` lower side,taper -ingth rottle-plug chambers on each side about :oppositethe junction: of said' cylinder: and chamber, the-axes-ofsaid cylinderfand chambers beingv parallel and. horizontal, with a xsteampi pe .aboveand steam-.channels-,formed 'in the. casing: around saidv valve-chamber to `said throttle-chambers,with ports connecting :said throttle-chambers:toftlie valve-chamber, ;With1exhaust-ports-also connecting the valvechamber to the throttle-chambers, with exhaust-channelsA formed inthe casing. leading odownwardly'from the'outerends ofi the respective exhaust-ports around the cylinder to 'exteriorI openings; ofv a pistonahaving circular-heads fittingthe cylinder snugly ateach end, an integral vcylinder: piston.- body of :smaller diameterf than said. heads and arraugedte'ccentri'cally therebetween so .that the continuousedge of vsaidbody an dheads makes lcontactawith the cylinder-surface along one Ahorizontalzaxial line or"highpoint fitting -steam-.'tight, ashafti axially arranged `insaid cylinder,I extending; outwardl f through the, :front'and'rear plates ofrthe .casings-,said piston beingzformed with a'z-groovealong'said high point continuing aroundrthev ends of the heads-,- a `metallic.packingfstrip ttin g thereto tandjbent aroundtheheads, one end solid, one jend slightly elastic tomake a steam-tight packing, a supplementaryy groove in one of `said ends and a piece fitted. thereto; a horixzontalfshaft' axially arranged in the/valvechamberparallel to saidmainl shaft and dil rectl y kabove it extending outwardlythrough `the face-plate; a valveequal inlength to the vbodyrotzsaid piston sothat its lower portion lwilliitl betweenfthe heads, fitting snugly in 'fsaidzchamber and having an upwardly or re- 'entrantly'curved loweredge formed in the arc of acircle smaller-than that ofathe cylinder'zsofvthat of thewings orl downwardly-ex- ,tendingflower edges'ofsaidvalve, one always extends into the steam-space and one is in close.. contact with the body oi'v therotating piston, saidvalve being also formedfnear its 'side-edges with steanpi'nlet's, to conduct the :steam'from thegrespectivesteam-ports to the cylinder or. steam-space and yhaving enlarged imouthsfto register with the-inner ends ofthe vrespective steam-portsv inthe varying positions of thegvalve; tapering plugs fitting said throttle or exhaust chambers and having smallergrooves on. one side to connect the steam-channel with zthe steam-,port when the plugs are in: one position, and larger grooves on the-opposite iside toxconnect the exhaust'- "channels when in the reverse-position',l axial IIO shafts forwardly and Voutwardly extending from said plugs having square ends, screwcaps and heads to secure said plugs in posi-l tion along the exterior of said engine, an eccentric secured on the outer end of said main shaft, a two-part collar fitted snugly to said eccentric, a reversing-lever, secured to said collar and extending upwardly therefrom, a grooved piece with grooves on opposite sides secured on said reversing-lever,a Spring-lever journaled thereon and connected to a cross- Y head sliding on said reversing-lever, locking- 

